Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maria Martin
- Type: Wooden, three-masted schooner (originally built as a bark)
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Quayle & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 175 ft (53.34 m); Beam: 33 ft; Depth of hold: 13 ft
- Registered Tonnage: ~568 gross / 540 net tons
- Location: Off Detroit in the Detroit River, Lake Ontario
- Official Number: 16,433
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally registered as a bark and later re-rigged as a schooner in 1877, Maria Martin was a sizable grain/cargo vessel typical of Great Lakes merchant fleets in the late 19th century. At 175 ft long with three masts, she was well-equipped for bulk trade, leveraging the sturdy bark conversion common in her class.
Description
In 1906, Maria Martin broke free during a storm in the Detroit River. The vessel drifted upriver and became wedged beneath the Belle Isle Bridge, suffering severe structural damage. Deemed unsalvageable, she was left anchored—as planned breakwater—but was eventually relegated to decay in Callam’s Bay.
History
- 1866: Enrolled in Cleveland; initially operated as a bark.
- 1877: Re-rigged as a schooner, following industry trends.
- Multiple Repairs: Major refits in 1871, 1881, 1883, and 1884 to maintain seaworthiness.
- 1870 Incident: Grounded near Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, declared lost, then later recovered.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Circumstances: Battered by storm, broke loose from moorings, jammed under Belle Isle Bridge, deemed constructive total loss—later abandoned as a breakwater in Callam’s Bay.
Final Disposition
The hulking remains likely persist in shallow, near-shore Detroit River waters—but precise survey details are scarce.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition: The hulking remains likely persist in shallow, near-shore Detroit River waters—but precise survey details are scarce.
Legacy: Maria Martin exemplifies the lifecycle of Great Lakes sail-driven freighters—active service, multiple refits, notable survivors of mishaps, and eventual loss through accident and repurposed abandonment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maria-martin-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
Research Resources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files on Maria Martin; local maritime archives and Detroit River heritage records for mooring decisions post-wreck.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maria Martin
- Type: Wooden, three-masted schooner (originally built as a bark)
- Built: 1866 by Quayle & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio
- Official Number: 16,433
- Dimensions: 175 ft length × 33 ft beam × 13 ft depth
- Tonnage: ~568 gross / 540 net tons
- Final Location: Off Detroit in the Detroit River, Lake Ontario
- Wreck Date: 22 November 1906
- How It Was Lost: Battered by storm, broke loose from moorings, jammed under Belle Isle Bridge, deemed constructive total loss—later abandoned as a breakwater in Callam’s Bay (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, ILAB – EN).
Vessel Description
Originally registered as a bark and later re-rigged as a schooner in 1877, Maria Martin was a sizable grain/cargo vessel typical of Great Lakes merchant fleets in the late 19th century. At 175 ft long with three masts, she was well-equipped for bulk trade, leveraging the sturdy bark conversion common in her class .
Operational History
- 1866: Enrolled in Cleveland; initially operated as a bark.
- 1877: Re-rigged as a schooner, following industry trends (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, ILAB – EN).
- Multiple Repairs: Major refits in 1871, 1881, 1883, and 1884 to maintain seaworthiness.
- 1870 Incident: Grounded near Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, declared lost, then later recovered (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck & Final Disposition
In 1906, Maria Martin broke free during a storm in the Detroit River. The vessel drifted upriver and became wedged beneath the Belle Isle Bridge, suffering severe structural damage. Deemed unsalvageable, she was left anchored—as planned breakwater—but was eventually relegated to decay in Callam’s Bay (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Current Status & Legacy
- Current Condition: The hulking remains likely persist in shallow, near-shore Detroit River waters—but precise survey details are scarce.
- Legacy: Maria Martin exemplifies the lifecycle of Great Lakes sail-driven freighters—active service, multiple refits, notable survivors of mishaps, and eventual loss through accident and repurposed abandonment.
- Research Resources:
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files on Maria Martin (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Local maritime archives and Detroit River heritage records for mooring decisions post-wreck.